Book Signing with Sere Prince Halverson!

Let me just say that I’ve always known there is a very special bond between writers. We’ve all seen it play out online through blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and other forums, but there is something magical about finally meeting someone in person and realizing that they’re just as amazing (if not even moreso) as you’d always imagined.

On Thursday, Seré Prince Halverson came to Austin to sign copies of The Underside of Joy at Bookpeople (you remember I interviewed her for January’s Fresh Ink, yes?). Lucky for me, not only was I in town (I almost wasn’t!) but I also got to meet other writers who’d come to Austin for the occasion. Can you think of a better way to spend the evening than listening to an author read from her book, tell you about the process of writing it, get that book signed, and then have dinner with her and other new writer friends, only to keep talking about books and the writing life?

No? Me neither.

Because I promised you all pictures…

I finally got to meet Seré and two new writer friends. I’d met Julie Kibler (in red) previously on Backspace and Facebook. Her novel, Calling Me Home, will be published in early 2013 by St. Martin’s Press. Julie introduced me to Lynda Rutledge (far left), whose debut novel, Faith Bass Darling’s Last Garage Sale, will be published by Amy Einhorn Books in April. So many great books to look out for!

During her talk, Seré talked about her path to publication and how an agent she’d worked with previously said that her book’s message needed to be something that could be embroidered on a pillow—something uplifting and uncomplicated—because that’s what would sell. She decided to look for a new agent

Seré, Julie and me after dinner. I really hope we get to do this again sometime! (Maybe for Julie’s book launch?)

I know we’ve all discussed the power of online connections before, especially among writers. It’s hard to believe that we can develop such meaningful relationships with people we’ve never actually met, but that’s what happens when you bond with someone over a common passion like writing, whether it’s over drinks or Twitter. I’ve exchanged emails, letters, web videos, and even books with friends I’ve met online, and each time we’ve finally had a chance to meet in person, it’s felt a lot like having an evening of great conversations with old friends—because it kind of is.

I hope that I’ll get to meet many of you in person someday and have that same experience! In the meantime, (to get a bit Golden Girls on you) thanks for being a friend. If you’re ever in Austin or if I’m ever anywhere near your town, please, please let me know and point us to the nearest book store/chai latte in town. We’ll make a night of it.